Election Lineup: Two opponents challenge incumbent Sheriff John Miller in Bay County

BAY CITY, MI — Incumbent Bay County Sheriff John E. Miller has one opponent in the August primary.

Robert “Bobby” Lee, 60, filed to run against Miller, 60, within the hour of his retirement as a deputy that took effect in January. Both are Democrats.

Joshua Novak, 26, filed in March as a Republican candidate for the race. Novak ran in the last Bay County sheriff's race and will face the Democratic winner of the August primary in the November general election.

Miller filed in hopes of serving as sheriff for a fifth term. He first ran for sheriff in 1996.

"I started running for office the day after the last election; there is no substitute for experience," Miller said. "I did a good job for the citizens of the county that is evident by the safe community: This isn't Saginaw or Flint."

Lee, a lifelong Bay City resident, served with the sheriff’s office for 25 years. He previously spent 10 years with the Bay City Department of Public Works. From 1980 to 1983, Lee worked part-time in youth development at the Bay County Juvenile Home.